• Attendance Policy •
I. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this attendance policy are to:
Encourage students to participate fully in the educational opportunities offered to them at Ledyard High School.
Develop habits of regular attendance and punctuality that will serve students beyond the high school setting.
II. PHILOSOPHY
The faculty and administration of Ledyard High School believe that learning experiences that occur in the classroom are an integral component of the learning process. This belief is consistent with overall philosophy of Ledyard High School, which endeavors to "promote a spirit of inquiry, mature critical faculties, creativity, responsible citizenship, integrity, and self-discipline."
Classroom instruction includes the presentation of facts, concepts, and theories; the interchange of ideas, attitudes, and opinions; and the supplementation and interpretation of the curriculum by a teacher’s expertise. Because these experiences cannot be duplicated outside the classroom, time lost through absence is irretrievable.
In addition, patterns of responsible behavior developed in adolescence will further prepare students to meet the expectations of future employers. Regular school attendance is the optimal method for students to avail themselves of these kinds of learning experiences.
Students are therefore expected to attend all classes for which they are registered each day that class is in session. Excessive absences from class will result in loss of credit for that course.
III. DEFINITIONS
A. Absence: Failure to attend class. Missing more than 15 minutes of any class will count as an absence toward the maximum.
B. Class Cut: Failure to attend class or study hall (while student is listed as being in attendance in school) without administrative approval. Missing more than 15 minutes of any class will be considered a class cut. Students who cut class will be given office detention.
C. Tardiness: Unauthorized failure to report to class prior to the start of the period. Missing more than 15 minutes of any class due to unexcused tardiness will be considered a class cut.
IV. IMPACTS
Absence Limit: No student may receive credit for a full credit course after being absent from that course twelve (12) class periods. No student may receive credit for a half credit course after being absent from that course six (6) class periods.
1. All absences from class will count toward the maximum, with the following exceptions:
Participation in Board of Education funded field trips, conferences and requirements.
Suspension
Religious observances
Legal obligations
School Counseling and Guidance appointments
Administration appointments
Project Oceanology
Athletic events
Note: Students on homebound instruction are not considered absent from school.
2. Notices of numbers of class absences will be sent to students, parents, and school counselors as follows:
Course Type
Class Attendance Notice sent at:
Loss of Credit Notice at:
One Credit
8 absences
12 absences
Half Credit
3 absences
6 absences
3. Students must continue to attend class on a daily basis regardless of their number of absences. Students must complete a course in order to be eligible to make up the course in summer school.
4. Although notices of numbers of class absences are sent in a timely manner, it is the student's responsibility to keep track of his or her own absences.
V. APPEAL
Numerous resources are available to assist students who have medical or other problems which impact attendance. It is essential that parents notify the school of such circumstances so that those resources can be put in place to help the student avoid reaching the attendance cap. Once the cap is reached the following procedure must be used to appeal denial of credit:
A. Upon notification of loss of credit, any student or parent wishing to explain unusual circumstances affecting the student's attendance may request an appeal with the Assistant Principal. If appropriate, the Assistant Principal will schedule a meeting with the Attendance Committee. The Committee, which consists of three teachers, may:
Affirm loss of credit
Restore credit
Develop a contractual agreement. Restoration of credit would be contingent on fulfilling the terms of the contract.
B. Written requests for an appeal must be made to the Assistant Principal within ten (10) days of the date of notification of loss of credit. Initiation of the appeals process is the sole responsibility of the parent or student.
C. An appeal of the committee’s decision may be made to the Principal. As in all school-related issues, parents and students have the right to seek review from the Superintendent and/or the Ledyard Board of Education.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE ADDENDUM
Students who do not attend school for a minimum of four (4) hours due to illness or other reason will not be allowed to participate in any school-related activity on the day of the absence. Exception to this rule may only be granted by the Principal or his designee. Exceptions will only be considered when extraordinary circumstances exist.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
When appropriate, the Assistant Principal’s Office will issue absence, tardy, and dismissal slips to students who follow the following procedures. Students who fail to follow these procedures may jeopardize their right to make up missed work and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Within three days of returning to school after an absence, a student must report to the Assistant Principal’s Office to receive an absence slip, which will indicate whether the absence was authorized or unexcused. To be authorized, the reason for the student’s absence must be specified in a note signed by a parent or in a parent’s telephone call. Only those absences consistent with Board of Education policy will be authorized. Students must show the absence authorization slip to a teacher in order to make up work missed during the student’s absence. Unless a student has an extended illness, all make-up privileges will be completed within two to five days after the student returns to school depending on the teacher’s policy governing make-up work.
NOTE: Planned absences, including school sponsored field trips or activities, are not subject to the above procedures. In these instances, students are responsible to meet with their teachers before a planned absence (scheduled field trip or activity) to arrange for makeup dates and times. Students are responsible for all regularly scheduled tests and/or assignments and will not be eligible to makeup missed work/tests unless arrangements are made before the planned absence.